Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Qiutong had only just left when a voice called from the courtyard-

“Elder Sister.”

Xing Shuwei hurriedly drew her collar together and examined herself carefully in the mirror. Only after making sure no marks showed did she leave the room with a warm smile crinkling the corners of her eyes.

“Yan’er.” Her voice was soft as she looked at the tall, slender youth below the steps.

Xing Shuyan was fifteen. All his childishness had fallen away, and he had grown into a handsome young man.

Years of martial training also lent him a valiant air.

Seeing how well her younger brother had grown, Xing Shuwei’s smile deepened. Her four years of treading on thin ice in the Duke’s estate had all been worthwhile.

“Why does Elder Sister look a little haggard? Has Dowager Lady Pei been tormenting you again?” Heartache filled Xing Shuyan’s eyes as he held a hand near Xing Shuwei’s arm without quite touching her.

The two entered the room and sat at an Eight Immortals table.

Xing Shuwei said, “All is well with me in the estate. What about you? Has anyone made trouble for you at Zhenxi Hall?”

Zhenxi Hall was the Duke of Qi’s estate’s private martial academy, with specialized instructors for riding and archery, military strategy, and martial arts.

Xing Shuyan shook his head. “I always keep Elder Sister’s teachings in mind.

“A great tree attracts the wind, and the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled. Those words are always circling in my head.

“In truth, none of those sons of nobles and decorated families can compare to me.

“But in their eyes, I am hopeless at martial arts. They pay me no attention at all, much less bother targeting me.

“Elder Sister, haven’t I disguised myself well?”

Xing Shuwei stroked his head and praised him several times.

Xing Shuyan had been sensible from a young age. After both their parents died, he became so mature that it broke her heart.

He clasped Xing Shuwei’s hand in return. “Elder Sister, I want to join the army as soon as possible.

“Once I enter the barracks, if I cannot take the field, kill enemies, and claim their heads for military merit, then I will follow the Eldest Young Master’s example. I will sit the civil service examinations, enter officialdom, and take a substantive post in the Ministry of War.

“Please be patient a little longer, Elder Sister. Very soon, I will be able to become someone you can rely on.”

Pei Xianjing had trained at Zhenxi Hall from childhood and mastered martial arts. He was also said to be highly skilled in military strategy.

Everyone had assumed he would naturally enter the Embroidered Uniform Guard or become a military official commanding troops in the Five Armies Command.

Unexpectedly, during the metropolitan examination three years ago, he swept through the competition and went on to rank first in the first class of the palace examination, winning instant fame.

Upon entering officialdom, he was assigned directly to the Ministry of War. Unlike other top-ranked scholars, he did not have to study first at the Hanlin Academy.

The Emperor valued Pei Xianjing precisely because, unlike scions of great clans who relied on ancestral privilege, he possessed genuine ability.

Relief warmed Xing Shuwei’s heart. “Yan’er has ambition and is willing to work hard. You will certainly achieve your wish.”

Her expression remained unchanged, but her thoughts churned. Yan’er had worked so hard. She could not let all his effort come to nothing.

The Great Yue dynasty required anyone who wished to enlist to hold military-household status. Members of merchant households could neither join the army nor sit the civil service examinations.

That was also why she had followed Dowager Lady Pei to the capital in the first place.

Their parents had died young. She had to take their place, protect Yan’er, and do everything possible to secure his future.

For all Xing Shuwei’s careful calculations, she had never imagined that her relationship with Pei Xianjing would suddenly become what it was now.

Before this, they had addressed each other as brother and sister and never crossed a boundary. She had therefore never regarded him as an obstacle, but as an ally.

Now, however, not only had he taken her by force, he also intended to make her his concubine…

Whether he would still help Yan’er enter the army had become uncertain.

She therefore needed to rethink her plans carefully.

…

Qiansheng Pavilion.

Pei Xianjing’s eyes rested on the dossier, but his thoughts wandered.

He raised his gaze to the surging waves of bamboo beyond the window and inexplicably recalled the way Xing Shuwei had jolted beneath him.

“Eldest Young Master,” Chengde called.

Pei Xianjing came back to himself. “Hmm?”

Chengde reported respectfully, “Young Master Xing has just returned to Qianchen Pavilion.”

After receiving no answer for some time, Chengde raised his eyes toward Pei Xianjing.

What had gotten into the Eldest Young Master? Ordinarily, he never asked a single question even about his biological younger brothers. Yet now, he not only concerned himself with Miss Xing, but had also begun paying special attention to Young Master Xing.
Still, it was not a servant’s place to concern himself too deeply with his master’s affairs.

When Pei Xianjing did not respond, Chengde said no more. Instead, he drew two invitations from inside his robe and presented them. “These are the invitations to the Shen residence’s banquet sent by Madam.

“There is also an invitation from Princess Jin’an’s residence, delivered on Master’s orders. Master said that you should…”

Pei Xianjing placed his brush on the brush rest, frowned, and waved Chengde away.

Chengde’s voice stopped abruptly. He hurriedly placed the invitations on the desk, then stood to one side and made himself as lifeless as a wooden post.

…

Three days later, the Shen residence held its promotion banquet.

Shortly after seven in the morning, Xing Shuwei was already seated before her dressing table.

“Miss, you must dress up properly today,” Qiutong said excitedly.

From the few pieces of jewelry they possessed, she selected a pair of red carnelian earrings and prepared to put them on Xing Shuwei.

“Qiutong, I won’t wear any jewelry today.” Xing Shuwei placed the earrings back.

Qiutong pouted. “Miss may be breathtakingly beautiful, but your clothes and adornments are far too plain.

“Especially for an occasion like this. Every young lady from the noble clans will surely be dressed with the utmost care. If you go looking so plain, you will appear shabbier than the maids beside them.”

Xing Shuwei replied, “I cannot compete with their finery in any case, so I will not vie with them in splendor.”

What kind of pampered beauty had the rich and powerful families of the realm not seen?

She would need to be distinctive to leave an arresting impression.

Qiutong took out rouge and powder to apply to her, but Xing Shuwei stopped her again.

She studied the oval face in the mirror: cheeks fair with a natural flush, sparkling eyes that seemed to hold a river of stars, a delicate nose, and cherry-red lips.

Even without powder or rouge, her beauty was stunning.

In her simplicity, she resembled a fairy untouched by mortal dust.

Her lips curved into a satisfied smile.

Qiutong did not understand, but this was perfect.

By the time Xing Shuwei finished dressing, Xing Shuyan had already departed ahead of her in Pei Guofei’s carriage.

Pei Guofei had pleaded with his elder sister, Pei Xuanfei, to wait for Xing Shuwei.

The moment Xing Shuwei entered the carriage, Pei Xuanfei looked her up and down with disdain filling her eyes. “If Guofei hadn’t begged me to bring you, I never would have done so. Once we reach the Shen residence, behave yourself and don’t embarrass me.”

Xing Shuwei nodded and answered, “Yes.”

Pei Xuanfei was the only young lady in the Duke’s estate and was also born to its direct line. She had been surrounded by adoration since childhood.

At twenty, she had yet to settle on a marriage.

She had two aims in attending today’s banquet: first, to choose a husband; second, to assist her grandmother.

Young Master Shen was only nineteen, yet he had already become an Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. His prospects were limitless.

He was Pei Xuanfei’s target.

…

The Shen residence was festooned with lanterns and streamers and thronged with visitors.

The Lotus Garden where the banquet was held was divided in two by a lotus pond. The women dined on the left, and the men on the right.

The noble young ladies resembled a hundred flowers competing to bloom in spring, each displaying her own radiance.

Xing Shuwei stood in a corner, quietly observing one figure after another.

“Have you heard? The eldest young master of the Duke of Qi’s estate will attend today’s banquet too.

“I hear he is strikingly handsome, accomplished in both civil and military affairs, and without equal in the capital.”

“If he comes, won’t he steal all of Young Master Shen’s glory?”

“The two of them are the Twin Talents of the capital. With both appearing today, our eyes will certainly be in for a feast.”

The noble young ladies crowded together, chatting and laughing merrily.

“What?” A displeased voice suddenly sounded beside the artificial hill beyond the lotus pond.

A woman in a navy brocade robe strode into view.

“Today is his great day. How could he possibly not show himself?”